Elevation: 8,595 ft
Prominence: 335
This peak is not in the book. Published May 2020
This peak is southeast of Dollarhide Summit on the main crest of the Smoky Mountains. This summit has one of the best 360-degree views in all of Idaho. In addition to the neighboring Smoky Mountain peaks, the view includes the Soldier Mountains, Boise Mountains, Bounder Mountains, Pioneer Mountains, and the eastern end of the Bennett Mountain Hills. Hiking the trail-less east side ridge is for the most part across easy, open slopes. The peak is accessible from by trail either from Dollarhide Summit or from the Middle Fork Warm Springs Creek. The loop route set out below melts out earlier than the northern routes. USGS Dollarhide Mountain
Trouble Peak as viewed from Peak 8100. South Dollarhide Peak is the snow-covered summit behind Trouble Peak.
Access
FS-017/Willow Creek Road [(B)(1) on Page 214]. FS-017 is located 10 miles east of Fairfield, Idaho on US-20. Google Maps provides directions if you search for Willow Creek (Camas County) Idaho. The Willow Creek Road is well-maintained and is suitable for 2WD vehicles when dry. There are a lot of blind corners in the last couple of miles. The road forks at 5.9 miles past the Sawtooth National Forest boundary. At this point, take the left fork a short distance to a parking spot near where the West Fork Willow Creek Road is gated. Park here.
Willow Creek Ridges Loop, Class 2
This route can be hiked either clockwise or counterclockwise. This entry describes the route counterclockwise. Follow the deteriorating, closed road up the West Fork Willow Creek to the point where it turns up the western side of the canyon. Leave the road and bushwhack up to the ridge top on the east side of the canyon. Once on the ridge top, follow the ridge over Peak 8100 to the summit in 4.3 miles. Some maps show trails along this route. I found no evidence of a maintained trail until meeting up with FST-199 just southeast of the summit.
Hiking the trail-less east side ridge is mostly across easy, open slopes.
The final stretch to the summit follows this unofficial trail.
To descend the ridge on the west side of the West Fork Willow Creek, follow FST-084 south-southwest to Point 8035. This trail is occasionally maintained and is easy to follow. From Point 8035, descend southeast over Point 7879 to the valley. This is a steep descent.
My GPS track for Willow Creek Ridges Route. The route covers 8.4 miles with 2,636 feet of elevation gain.
This is a small teaser of the magnificent view from the summit.
Additional Resources
Regions: Smoky Mountains->WESTERN IDAHO
Mountain Range: Smoky Mountains
Longitude: -114.63789 Latitude: 43.57679
